U.S. patent application number 14/014171 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-06 for tubing clamp.
The applicant listed for this patent is C. R. BARD, INC.. Invention is credited to Daniel B. Blanchard, Miguel D. Ramos.
Application Number | 20140060655 14/014171 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50184641 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140060655 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ramos; Miguel D. ; et
al. |
March 6, 2014 |
Tubing Clamp
Abstract
A clamp for selectively compressing a portion of tubing, such as
an extension leg of a PICC or other catheter, is disclosed. The
clamp is able to be opened or closed with a thumb and finger of a
single hand of a user and is slidably attached to the tubing so as
to enable its placement as desired along the tube. In one
embodiment, the tubing clamp comprises a body including first and
second body portions hingedly connected to one another in a
clamshell configuration, a latch for releasably latching the first
and second body portions together, and at least two tube
compression members. The tube compression members cooperate to
compress and occlude a portion of tubing passing through the tubing
clamp when the first and second body portions are latched to one
another.
Inventors: |
Ramos; Miguel D.;
(Taylorsville, UT) ; Blanchard; Daniel B.;
(Bountiful, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
C. R. BARD, INC. |
Murray Hill |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50184641 |
Appl. No.: |
14/014171 |
Filed: |
August 29, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61695186 |
Aug 30, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
137/1 ;
251/9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 137/0318 20150401;
A61M 39/281 20130101; A61M 39/284 20130101; F16K 7/066 20130101;
A61M 39/286 20130101; F16K 7/063 20130101; A61M 39/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
137/1 ;
251/9 |
International
Class: |
F16K 7/06 20060101
F16K007/06 |
Claims
1. A tubing clamp, comprising: a body including first and second
body portions hingedly connected to one another in a clamshell
configuration; a latch for releasably latching the first and second
body portions together; and at least two tube compression members
that cooperate to compress and occlude a portion of tubing passing
through the tubing clamp when the first and second body portions
are latched to one another.
2. The tubing clamp as defined in claim 1, further comprising at
least one tube retention member that receives a portion of the
tubing so as to secure the tubing clamp to the tubing.
3. The tubing clamp as defined in claim 2, wherein the at least one
tube retention member includes a loop structure included on at
least one of the first and second body portions.
4. The tubing clamp as defined in claim 3, wherein each of the
first and second body portions includes one of the tube compression
members and one of two tube retention members disposed proximate
one another.
5. The tubing clamp as defined in claim 1, wherein two tube
compression members are included with the tubing clamp, each tube
compression member including a flat surface for engaging a portion
of the tubing, the flat surfaces facing one another when the tubing
clamp is latched.
6. The tubing clamp as defined in claim 1, wherein two tube
compression members are included with the tubing clamp, the tube
compression members including correspondingly shaped surfaces for
engaging a portion of the tubing when the tubing clamp is
latched.
7. The tubing clamp as defined in claim 6, wherein one of the two
tube compression members includes a convexly shaped surface and
wherein the other of the two tube compression members includes a
concavely shaped surface.
8. The tubing clamp as defined in claim 1, wherein the first and
second body portions are integrally formed with one another.
9. The tubing clamp as defined in claim 8, wherein a living hinge
hingedly connects the first and second body portions.
10. The tubing clamp as defined in claim 1, wherein the latch
includes a male latch portion and a female latch portion.
11. The tubing clamp as defined in claim 10, wherein the male latch
portion is included on the first body portion, the first body
portion further including a compliant segment that enables the
portion of the first body portion on which the male latch portion
is disposed to compliantly deform.
12. The tubing clamp as defined in claim 11, wherein the compliant
segment includes a region of reduced cross-sectional area with
respect to adjacent portions of the first body portion.
13. The tubing clamp as defined in claim 1, wherein the first body
portion includes a lip disposed proximate to the male latch
portion, wherein a user presses proximate the lip during unlatching
of the tubing clamp to cause the lip to assist in separating the
first body portion from the second body portion.
14. The tubing clamp as defined in claim 13, wherein the first body
portion further includes gripping portions disposed proximate to
the lip.
15. The tubing clamp as defined in claim 1, wherein a hinge
hingedly connects the first and second body portions, the hinge
including a hook portion and a rod portion respectively disposed on
the first and second body portions.
16. The tubing clamp as defined in claim 1, wherein a hinge
hingedly connects the first and second body portions, the hinge
including a plurality of knuckles and a pin passing through the
knuckles.
17. A method of using a tubing clamp to selectively occlude a
portion of tubing, the method comprising: providing a clamp body
slidably attached to the portion of tubing, the clamp body
including first and second body portions hingedly connected to one
another in a clamshell-like configuration, a latch for releasably
latching the first and second body portions together, and at least
two tube compression members; and selectively latching the first
and second body portions together via the latch, wherein at least
two tube compression members of the tubing clamp compress and
occlude the portion of tubing.
18. The method of using the tubing clamp as defined in claim 17,
further comprising selectively unlatching the first and second body
portions via the latch, wherein the at least two tube compression
members no longer compress and occlude the portion of tubing.
19. The method of using the tubing clamp as defined in claim 18,
wherein the selective latching and unlatching of the first and
second body portions is performed manually by a thumb and finger of
a single hand of the user.
20. A tubing clamp, comprising: a body including first and second
body portions hingedly connected to one another in a clamshell-like
configuration; the first body portion including a compliant
segment; a latch for releasably latching the first and second body
portions together, the latch including a male latch portion
disposed proximate the compliant segment on the first body portion
and a female latch member on the second body portion; and first and
second tube compression members respectively included on the first
and second body portions that cooperate to compress a portion of
compliant tubing passing through the tubing clamp when the first
and second body portions are latched together so as to occlude the
passage of fluids through the tubing.
21. The tubing clamp as defined in claim 20, further comprising at
least one tube retention member that enables the tubing clamp to
slide along the portion of tubing when the first and second body
portions are unlatched.
22. The tubing clamp as defined in claim 21, wherein the first and
second body portions include a thermoplastic and are integrally
connected via a living hinge, and wherein the first and second tube
compression members each include a flat surface, the flat surfaces
aligning when the first and second body portions are latched and
cooperating to compress the portion of tubing therebetween.
23. The tubing clamp as defined in claim 22, wherein the compliant
segment includes a region of reduced cross-sectional area with
respect to adjacent portions of the first body portion that enables
compliant deformation of the portion of the first body portion on
which the male latch portion is disposed.
24. The tubing clamp as defined in claim 23, wherein the portion of
tubing is compliant, and wherein the first body portion further
includes a protruding lip portion that engages the second body
portion during unlatching to urge the second body portion away from
the first body portion.
25. The tubing clamp as defined in claim 24, wherein the portion of
tubing includes an extension leg of a catheter, and wherein the
tubing clamp further includes indicia disposed on an external
surface of at least one of the first and second body portions.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/695,186, filed Aug. 30, 2012, and titled "Tubing
Clamp," which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0002] Briefly summarized, embodiments of the present invention are
directed to a clamp for selectively compressing a portion of
tubing, such as an extension leg of a PICC or other catheter. The
clamp is able to be opened or closed with a thumb and finger of a
single hand of a user and is slidably attached to the tubing so as
to enable its placement as desired along the tube. Its attachment
to the tube also prevents loss of the clamp when it is not being
used to clamp the tubing. The clamp includes rounded surfaces that
reduce trauma and improve patient comfort over other designs, and
further includes sufficient surface area for enabling printing to
be included thereon.
[0003] In one embodiment, therefore, the tubing clamp comprises a
body including first and second body portions hingedly connected to
one another in a clamshell configuration, a latch for releasably
latching the first and second body portions together, and at least
two tube compression members. The tube compression members
cooperate to compress and occlude a portion of tubing passing
through the tubing clamp when the first and second body portions
are latched to one another.
[0004] These and other features of embodiments of the present
invention will become more fully apparent from the following
description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice
of embodiments of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] A more particular description of the present disclosure will
be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that are
illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these
drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are
therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. Example
embodiments of the invention will be described and explained with
additional specificity and detail through the use of the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tubing clamp included on
an extension leg of a catheter, according to one embodiment;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clamp of FIG. 1 in an
open configuration;
[0008] FIGS. 3A-3C are various views of the clamp of FIG. 1 in open
and closed configurations;
[0009] FIG. 4 is an enlarged, partially transparent side view of
the clamp of FIG. 1 in a closed configuration;
[0010] FIGS. 5A and 5B are top and bottom views of the clamp of
FIG. 1;
[0011] FIGS. 6A and 6B show details of tube compression members for
the clamp of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment;
[0012] FIGS. 7A and 7B show details of a hinge configuration for a
tubing clamp according to one embodiment;
[0013] FIGS. 8A and 8B show details of a hinge configuration for a
tubing clamp according to one embodiment; and
[0014] FIGS. 9A and 9B show details of a tubing clamp body
according to one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] Reference will now be made to figures wherein like
structures will be provided with like reference designations. It is
understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic
representations of exemplary embodiments of the present invention,
and are neither limiting nor necessarily drawn to scale.
[0016] For clarity it is to be understood that the word "proximal"
refers to a direction relatively closer to a clinician using the
device to be described herein, while the word "distal" refers to a
direction relatively further from the clinician. For example, the
end of a catheter placed within the body of a patient is considered
a distal end of the catheter, while the catheter end remaining
outside the body is a proximal end of the catheter. Also, the words
"including," "has," and "having," as used herein, including the
claims, shall have the same meaning as the word "comprising."
[0017] Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed
to a clamp for selectively compressing a portion of tubing, such as
an extension leg of a PICC or other catheter. The clamp is able to
be opened or closed with two fingers and is slidably attached to
the tubing so as to enable its placement as desired along the tube.
Its attachment to the tube also prevents loss of the clamp when it
is not being used to clamp the tubing. The clamp includes rounded
surfaces that reduce trauma and improve patient comfort over other
designs, and further includes sufficient surface area for enabling
printing to be included thereon.
[0018] Reference is first made to FIG. 1, which shows a tubing
clamp, generally designated at 10, slidably attached to the tubing
of an extension leg 12 and in an unlatched configuration. In the
unlatched configuration shown here, the clamp 10 is able to be
easily slid along the length of the extension leg 12 so as to
enable a user to position it as desired. Note that the extension
leg 12 includes a connector 14 and is representative of a wide
variety of tubes and tubing, including various catheters and
catheter-related tubing, with which a clamp configured in
accordance with the present disclosure can be utilized.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows the clamp 10 in an open configuration, such as
during clamp manufacture, in accordance with one embodiment. In
detail, FIG. 2 shows various internal components of the clamp 10,
including a body 20 defined by a first body portion 20A and a
second body portion 20B. The two clamp body portions 20A, 20B are
attached to one another via a hinge or other suitable component to
enable mutual movement therebetween. In the present embodiment, the
clamp body portions 20A, 20B are integrally formed and the hinge is
a living hinge 22 integrally formed with the body portions. So
configured, the clamp body 20 can be selectively closed and opened,
the body having a clamshell-like design.
[0020] The first body portion 20A defines a lip 24 that protrudes
beyond an adjacent portion of the second body portion 20B when the
two portions are brought together in the manner shown in FIG. 3C.
The lip 24 assists in enabling selective opening of the clamp 10,
as will be seen. Gripping surfaces 26 or other suitable surface
features are included proximate the lip 24 to assist with finger
gripping of the lip and clamp body 20.
[0021] A latch 30 is included on the clamp 10 to enable selective
latching of the first and second body portions 20A, 20B together to
close the clamp. As seen in FIG. 2, the latch 30 of the present
embodiment includes a male latch portion 32 disposed on the first
body portion 20A and a female latch portion 34 disposed on the
second body portion 20B. The two latch portions 32 and 34 are
cooperatively positioned and configured to releasably latch
together via locking insertion of the male latch portion into the
female latch portion when the two clamp body portions 20A and 20B
are pressed together by the user, as seen in FIGS. 3C and 4. FIG. 4
particularly shows the manner of engagement of the male latch
portion 32 with the female latch portion 34 when the clamp 10 is
closed. Such engagement by the latch 30 enables the clamp 10 to
occlude the tubing on which the clamp is included, as will be seen.
It is appreciated that a variety of latching systems and
configurations can be employed in addition to that shown and
described herein.
[0022] FIGS. 4 and 5A further show that the first body portion 20A
includes a compliant segment 36 that enables the lip 24 and portion
of the first body portion on which the male latch portion 32 is
disposed to flex with respect to the remainder portion of the first
body portion. As will be seen, this assists in engagement and
disengagement of the latch 30. As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5A, the
compliant segment 36 includes a region of reduced cross-sectional
area with respect to adjacent portions of the first body portion
20A. Note that the first and second body portions 20A and 20B in
the present embodiment include a thermoplastic or other suitable
material such that the compliant portion 36 is able to resiliently
bend as described herein. Note that the design, shape,
cross-sectional area, and configuration of the compliant segment
can vary from what is explicitly shown and described herein.
[0023] In accordance with the present disclosure, the body of the
clamp can include one or more suitable materials, including but not
limited to acetyl, polyester ("PES"), polyethylene terephthalate
("PET"), polyethylene ("PE"), high density polyethylene ("HDPE"),
polyvinyl chloride ("PVC"), low-density polyethylene ("LDPE"),
polypropylene ("PP"), polystyrene ("PS"), high impact polystyrene
("HIPS"), polyamides ("PA"), nylons, acrylonitrile butadiene
styrene ("ABS"), polycarbonate ("PC"), polycarbonate/acrylonitrile
butadiene styrene ("PC/ABS"), polyurethane ("PU"),
polyetheretherketone ("PEEK"), and polytetrafluoroethylene
("PTFE"). Also, note that any of these materials can include
additives, such as glass in one embodiment, for improved mechanical
properties. In one embodiment, the body of the clamp includes
polypropylene.
[0024] FIGS. 2, 3A, and 4 further illustrate dual tube retention
components 38 that are sized and configured to each receive
therethrough a portion of the tubing of the extension leg 12 (FIG.
1) or other tubing on which the clamp 10 is disposed. The tube
retention components 38 are each included on one of the first and
second body portions 20A, 20B such that the clamp 10 is slidably
secured to the tubing in the manner shown in FIG. 1 when the clamp
is unlatched. This prevents the clamp 10 from opening too widely
when unlatched while still enabling the clamp to slide along the
tubing. This configuration also prevents unintended separation of
the clamp from the extension leg 12. Note that the tube retention
components 38 are in linear arrangement with one another when the
clamp 10 is latched so as to enable the tubing to pass through the
clamp without substantial deviation. FIGS. 5A and 5B show that the
retention components 38 are formed in the present embodiment from
recesses 38A in each of the first and second body portions 20A, 20B
of the clamp body 20. The particular size, shape, number, and
placement of the tube retention components can vary.
[0025] A set of tube compression members 40 are further included
with the clamp 10. In the present embodiment, the tube compression
members 40 include a substantially planar first surface 40A
included on the first body portion 20A and a substantially planar
second surface 40B included on the second body portion 20B. The
first and second surfaces 40A, 40B in the illustrated embodiment
are disposed adjacent the respective tube retention components 38
and are configured to pinch the tubing between them when the first
and second body portions 20A, 20B are latched together in the
manner shown in FIGS. 3C and 4. Indeed, FIG. 4 shows the
approximate spacing between the first and second tube compression
surfaces 40A, 40B, sufficient to compress and occlude the tubing,
thus preventing fluid passage therethrough when the clamp 10 is
latched. The tube compression members 40 are shown here as flat
surfaces that are aligned to converge toward one another when the
clamp is latched, though in other embodiments it is appreciated
that the members can include other configurations. Note that the
spacing between the tube compression surfaces is dependent upon the
thickness of the tubing wall. In one embodiment, the spacing
between the tube compression surfaces is no greater than twice the
tubing wall thickness so as to achieve full occlusion through the
tubing. In one embodiment, it is appreciated that the spacing
between the tube compression surfaces is slightly less than twice
the tubing wall thickness such that both the tubing and the clamp
undergo a relatively small amount of deformation when the clamp is
latched.
[0026] FIGS. 5A and 5B show that in the present embodiment the
clamp 10 is of sufficient size as to provide an area for indicia 46
to be included, such as via printing, on the outer surface of the
clamp body 20. It is recognized that a variety of alphanumeric,
symbolic, iconic or other indicia can be included on the body 20 of
the clamp 10 to convey useful information or characteristics
regarding the catheter/medical device to which the clamp is
attached to the user. Here, for instance, "No CT" is included on
the clamp body 20 as the indicia 46, indicating to an observer that
the extension leg 12 to which the clamp 10 is attached is not
indicated for power injection of fluids therethrough.
[0027] As described, FIG. 1 shows the clamp 10 disposed on a
portion of the tubing of the extension leg 12 in an unlatched
configuration such that the clamp can slide along the length of
tubing, the tubing extending through the tube retention components
38 (FIG. 2). To operate the clamp 10, compression is supplied by
two or more digits of the user, such as the thumb and forefinger,
in the direction indicated by the "to close" arrows in FIG. 3C to
cause the male and female latch portions 32, 34 to engage and latch
the first and second body portions 20A, 20B together in the closed
configuration shown in FIG. 3C and 4. In this configuration the
tubing of the extension leg 12 is compressed by the tube
compression members, i.e., the first and second tube compression
surfaces 40A and 40B, a sufficient amount to desirably prevent
fluid passage through the tubing. When clamping of the tubing is no
longer desired, pressure by two or more digits, such as the thumb
and forefinger, is applied to the clamp 10 in the direction
indicated by the "to open" arrows in FIG. 3C, which causes the lip
24 and adjacent portion of the first body portion 20A to push
inward and upward, when viewed from the perspective shown in FIG.
3. Again, this movement of the lip 24 and adjacent portion is
enabled via the compliant segment 36 (FIGS. 4, 5A). This movement
causes disengagement of the male latch portion 32 from the female
latch portion 34 and enables the second body portion 40B to
hingedly rotate away from the first body portion 40A. This rotation
is assisted by the upward movement of the lip 24 and adjacent
portions of the first body portion 20A, which can contact the
second body portion 20B and urge the two body portions 20A, 20B
apart. Separation of the two clamp body portions 20A, 20B also
separates the tube compression surfaces 40A, 40B from one another,
which ceases compression and occlusion of the tubing of the
extension leg 12, thus enabling fluid to flow therethrough. Passage
of the tubing through the retention components 38 desirably
prevents excessive opening of the clamp body 20 after unlatching
occurs.
[0028] As noted above, the tube compression members can vary from
what is shown and described in connection with FIGS. 2-4. FIGS. 6A
and 6B show one example of an optional set of tube compression
members 60, including a concavely-shaped first compression surface
40A and a correspondingly convexly-shaped second compression
surface 60B configured to compress between them the tubing 12 when
the clamp 10 is latched together in the manner shown in FIGS. 4 and
5A. Thus, these and other tube compression member designs are
contemplated.
[0029] FIGS. 7A and 7B show various details regarding an optional
connective scheme for hingedly connecting the first body portion
20A to the second body portion 20B, wherein instead of a living
hinge as disclosed in the embodiment further above (FIGS. 2-5B), a
hook 82A is included on the second body portion 20B and is
configured to rotatably engage with a rod 82B defined on the first
body portion 20A, thus enabling hinged movement between the two
body portions. FIG. 7B shows an unlatched configuration of the
clamp, similar to its configuration when a portion of tubing
extends therethrough before latching.
[0030] FIGS. 8A and 8B show various details regarding another
optional connective scheme for hingedly connecting the first body
portion 20A to the second body portion 20B. In particular, a hinge
assembly 92 is disclosed, including hinge knuckles 92A defined by
both the first and second body portions 20A, 20B and a pin 92B that
passes through the hinge knuckles to enable hinged movement of the
body portions thereabout. Thus, the first and second body portions
20A, 20B are able to be selectively moved between unlatched and
latched configurations. Note that the pin disclosed here can
include of any of the materials mentioned above from which the
clamp body can be manufactured, as well as medical grade metals,
such as stainless steel.
[0031] Note that the clamp body 20 can be manufactured in any one
of various ways, including injection molding, machining, etc.
[0032] Embodiments of the invention may be embodied in other
specific forms without departing from the spirit of the present
disclosure. The described embodiments are to be considered in all
respects only as illustrative, not restrictive. The scope of the
embodiments is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather
than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the
meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced
within their scope.
* * * * *